Kids’ music seems the most marginal of all markets compared to others currently available by the music industry.
Once IbrahimAdhem saw a stone on
which was written, “Turn me over and read.” On the other side he read,
“You do not practice what you know. Why, then, do you seek what you know
not?” — Hujwiri
The other day I watched a fly bounce repeatedly against a
window. Somewhere in that primitive insect brain, memory of the abrupt smack of
the glass had to linger. Yet the little thing stuck to this impossible tactic,
guaranteeing he would never reach his goal. Undoubtedly, his situation was made
more difficult by the fact he could see what he wanted so clearly. I imagined
him thinking, “This has to be the way — BAM — has to be the way — BAM —
has to be the way…”
Parenting is often a similar exercise. The correct answer to
the seemingly-rhetorical question, “How many times do I have to tell you?” is,
“Until you realize your current tactics are ineffective.” But if the goal is
simple and within sight, this has to be the way — BAM — has to be the way
— BAM — has to be the way…
Most of my soaring parental moments have involved a certain
sense of playfulness, and my worst parenting Hindenburgs
betray a profound lack of creativity. Most often I am tired when I choose to
head-butt the obstruction rather than try a new route. What? Have I energy
enough for relentless futility though I’m too tired to be effective? Is it any
fun to be so entrenched?
My daughter can’t stand it when I crack her up in the middle
of a good snit. It drives my son crazy when I follow his logic to my
conclusion. Exhausted? I’m finally too tired not to try something different.
This article appears in Sep 27 – Oct 3, 2006.
